End of an Era-- sold my manual car, went electric.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

My current 2014 is larger and nicer to drive but the mileage is a disappointment - only 37 mpg which isn't worth the hassle of dealing with a diesel.

Even a Suzuki Vitara which an uncle of mine used to own, repowered with a 50hp naturally-aspirated Volkswagen 1.6D engine, could reach 45 MPG. Well, considering a more modern engine with direct injection and turbocharging is supposed to be inherently more efficient than that old-school beauty, such a low mileage is quite shocking.

[Piotrsko]

Well you can get a fuel injector intake port and modern EFI but the big issue is still using fuel for cooling bug engines.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Even a Suzuki Vitara which an uncle of mine used to own, repowered with a 50hp naturally-aspirated Volkswagen 1.6D engine, could reach 45 MPG. Well, considering a more modern engine with direct injection and turbocharging is supposed to be inherently more efficient than that old-school beauty, such a low mileage is quite shocking.

The 2014 Jetta Sportwagon TDI I have makes 140 hp and weighs 3,340 lbs. My old 2003 Jetta wagon TDI was only 90 hp and weighed 3,161 lbs. The extra power, weight, and size combined with the fact the new TDI has to meet the same emission standards as a gas vehicle explain the 10 mpg difference in fuel economy. Even on the highway my 2014 will only do 40 mpg while the 2003 did 50 mpg.

The new DI and Turbo TSI gas engines match the TDI diesels for fuel economy so I see no reason to pay more more diesel fuel and have to deal with a particulate filter that costs $1300 just for the part. I'll sell my TDI by 2023 when the dieselgate warranty expires unless the particulate filter has failed by then and been replaced.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by H-Man

I ended up selling my manual car. got nearly as much as I paid for it too despite putting 60k on it over 8 years.

Nice.

Now I'm cheating my way to a kilotank with a chevy volt (and now I'm able to move my car without feeling guilty for starting a cold engine to move it!)

NICE! I covet Volts.

When I've done extreme weight reduction (interior deletes) in the past, I've resorted to earplugs.

[Piotrsko]

Yes they do the same economy but my 2103 neutered TDI blows the doors off the gassers up to 140 where they crap out and can keep up with a GTI.

[Isaac Zachary]

I sold my manual cars and bought an electric.

Then sold the electric and bought a couple of hybrids.

[H-Man]

Originally Posted by Cd

Dumb question : how do you react to earplugs ?
I have a deformity on the left side of my body ( head to toe )
So my left ear did not form right, and I am mostly deaf.
Unfortunately, I hear high pitch sounds quite well, but low pitch, like speech are gone.

At work, I drive electric forklifts that have a constant high pitched warning beep.
It hurts my ears, so I wear earplugs.

Despite the earplugs, I can still hear speech and other outside noises.

It just muffles the pitch that is painful to me.

They are the soft foam type.

I'm anxious to see how you like your Volt.
Until just recently, I was going to get one myself.

Earplugs cause issues too. Not enough attenuation on the lower end of the spectrum. I have so much money sunk into bose quietcomforts because my noise tolerance is so bad. My whole body and mind are such utter complete trainwrecks that it's a bit of a wonder I'm still kicking.


I've discovered something: My fuel consumption minimum is when I ignite the ICE for only one warmup/cooling cycle even if it means running the motors in a less efficient operating range. This car isn't like my prizm that could warm up in 2 miles.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by H-Man

Earplugs cause issues too. Not enough attenuation on the lower end of the spectrum. I have so much money sunk into bose quietcomforts because my noise tolerance is so bad. My whole body and mind are such utter complete trainwrecks that it's a bit of a wonder I'm still kicking.


I've discovered something: My fuel consumption minimum is when I ignite the ICE for only one warmup/cooling cycle even if it means running the motors in a less efficient operating range. This car isn't like my prizm that could warm up in 2 miles.

I tried a hearing aid for my deaf ear.
Apparently, you can get them fine tuned for what frequencies you want to hear well.
I was completely let down, as the last time I had one was over 20 year prior.
(And this last time was around 6 years ago. )
I had thought technogy would have done wonders with them, but was in for a huge dissapointment.
Not only did the new hearing aids not sound any clearer than the old ones, the batteries lasted half as long.
They just made the sound louder, and actually hurt my ear !
BUT, it just might be something you could give a try.
With your situation, you can get assistance, and maybe even get them free like I did.
I tried to give mine back, but they really discouraged me from doing so. ( Not the part that goes in the ear, but the electronic part of course - each is custom fitted to the person. )

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Well you can get a fuel injector intake port

Not a chance. That engine was a Diesel.

but the big issue is still using fuel for cooling bug engines

Sometimes I wonder why Volkswagen never seemed to consider an approach similar to Suzuki's SACS fitted to the earliest GSX-R series, using oil for cooling.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Well you can get a fuel injector intake port and modern EFI but the big issue is still using fuel for cooling bug engines.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Not a chance. That engine was a Diesel.




Sometimes I wonder why Volkswagen never seemed to consider an approach similar to Suzuki's SACS fitted to the earliest GSX-R series, using oil for cooling.

Maybe if it were converted to CNG or wood gas.

What's a bug engine? Or do you mean Bug engine as in VW Bug?